If the exciting finish to yesterday's British Open encouraged you to pick up your golf clubs this morning and head to the nearest fairway for a quick 18 holes - only to draw the curtains and find it was raining heavily, then a property in an overseas golf resort may be for you.

While countries like Spain and Portugal have long been popular overseas golf destinations for those seeking a place they can enjoy a round without the threat of rain, in recent years golf resorts aimed at overseas property purchasers have been springing up all over the world - and not just in the countries synonymous with the sport.

For example, while the US may be an overseas destination which is well known for its golf property, especially in Florida, the country's northern neighbour is also somewhere you may wish to consider.

In 2004 the Nick Faldo-designed The Rock at the Red Leaves resort in Ontario was named as the Best New Course by Golf Digest magazine, and by next year this golf resort will be even better, which may just interest some overseas property investors.

The golf course is currently closed while improvements, including the expansion of teeing areas and widening of fairways, are carried out. It will reopen in May 2008, along with The Rosseau, the new JW Marriott hotel at Red Leaves, where it will be possible for those interested in purchasing a property in an overseas golf resort to fulfil their desire. Residences within The Rosseau are available for between £143,900 and £473,000, and UK investors will benefit from a guaranteed 7 per cent per annum return on their golf property investment for four years.

Another country which you may not associate as being an overseas golf resort mecca is Cape Verde. However, a number of courses are slated for development in the islands, including a £682-million venture on Sao Vicente at Salamansa Sands. The course will be a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, and will join the over 314 Niklaus Design overseas golf resorts, which are located all over the world. The resort, which is being developed by the Edinburgh-based company FM Group, will begin construction next year and is not due to be completed until 2015. "Salamansa is the ideal location for a world-class overseas golf course and resort," says Jonathon Milne, FM Group Managing Director. "With a new International airport on Sao Vicente under construction and due for completion late 2007 our timing for the announcement of this international resort is perfect," he adds.

There are also two Ernie Els-designed courses - one on Sal and one on Sao Vicente - slated for development in the near future, meaning Cape Verde could offer overseas property purchasers a decent selection of golf resorts in the near future.

Somewhere which has already began to better cater for overseas property purchasers in recent years when it comes to golf resorts is Cyprus. Located in the foothills of the Troodos mountains near Pafos, the Tsada golf club has become an increasingly popular golfing resort over the past few years, and the nearby Zephyros Village offers apartments from where you can gain easy access to the tees. Property in this resort is marketed by Parador Properties and start from £91,503 for a two-bedroom apartment.

Parador also markets property at Limassol Star, which is close to Limassol, Vikla Golf and Country Club, and in the Secret Valley golf resort, which is already proving to be popular with overseas buyers. Prices for a one-bedroom apartment in Limassol Star start from £110,824, while in Secret Valley a three-bedroom villa could be yours for £294,941.

So next time your thoughts of a round of golf is spoilt by the unpredictable British weather, considering purchasing a property in an overseas golf resort where you can take advantage of the local course, and a more stable climate, may be well worth thinking about.

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Related articles about overseas golf property:
Tee time for the Portuguese property market
Golf properties still available
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Article first published 23rd July 2007